Benton makes the call for the Chips

Birmingham (Mich.) Brother Rice athlete Shamari Benton spent a good portion of his off-season attending camps, combines and recruiting functions to get as many options for college as he could. Those efforts led to more than a half dozen scholarship offers and on Sunday the 6-0, 194-pound Benton made his choice.

"I just committed to Central Michigan," Benton announced. "I talked to Coach (Tim) Banks, the defensive coordinator, and they were all excited. They had it on speaker phone, so I talked to Coach (Butch) Jones, the coach from my recruiting area and they said 'Welcome to the family.'

"I went to their game yesterday and everyone, even outside, knew my name and it was great. The game day atmosphere was great. A lot of recruits were there. I was sitting down next to Adam Fenton, another three-star linebacker, and the kids from Maryland came up for their official visits. It was great to sit down with the other commits and talk about how we wanted to change the defense."

Benton had considered making this choice back in July, but wanted to see what other options would come his way once coaches had a chance to see his senior season. Before the commitment, Benton had accumulated offers from the likes of West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Bowling Green, Akron and Minnesota, but Central Michigan still was where his heart was at.

"I've been talking to a lot of coaches at different places," Benton noted. "I got some new offers, but Central Michigan just blew me away and to be No. 1 on their overall board is just exciting."

The question Benton has had to address most during the course of his recruitment has been what position he would best project to at the college level. He has the size and speed of a defensive back, but has played linebacker his entire career at Brother Rice. Central Michigan told him, for the most part, they'll address that question when he gets on campus.

"They've got me at the SAM linebacker," Benton said. "They are probably going to get me a lot bigger, but at the same time they like me as a defensive athlete – that's what they are calling me – because I could come there and play anywhere from free safety to linebacker."

Benton is ranked as the No. 19 player in the state of Michigan. He is the fourth three-star prospect from the state of Michigan to commit to the Chippewas this year.